Eastern States Exposition Provides Grant to West Springfield Police Department

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition (ESE) has given a grant to the West Springfield Police Department to outfit two motorcycles with essential equipment, including computers, printers, cameras, and other traffic safety resources.

An unveiling of the upgraded motorcycles took place at the Brooks Building, ESE’s business offices, on Sept. 2. Attendees included ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy and members of his staff, West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, West Springfield Chief of Police Jay Gearing, Sgt. Mike Reed, Officer Joe Reed, and Officer Shawn Knox.

This donation ensures that West Springfield police officers have the most-up-to-date technology and tools to enforce the rules of the road and assist traffic during the 17 days of the Big E as well as year-round. The presentation recognized the collaboration between the not-for-profit and the town.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Eastern States Exposition that goes back decades,” Gearing said. “The financial support that allowed us to put these computers on these motorcycles will prove to be an immense help. Those bikes are the same bikes that will help us during the Big E, but also with citations and traffic enforcement. No more going back and forth to the station — this will be much more efficient.”